New stretch target

All I want for winter is: Hot water… To fix my broken boiler… Repair the cracked bedroom window… A winter coat so I can go outside

These are some of the simple wishes Friends of the Elderly grant each winter.

Imagine not being able to turn on the radiator in your home when you are so cold you can see your breath on each exhale. Or not having dinner so you can pay to heat your home for just an hour or two to get a little warm.

This is sadly the current situation for many older people living in poverty. You and I can help them survive the freezing cold days and nights with our Winter Warmth grants.

Having our generous matched funding partner, The ACT Foundation, pledging to match every £1 we give away in grants, every donation made will make twice the difference to older people in desperate need.

With the Met Office predicting a colder than average December this year, it is vital that older people are able to keep warm.

Make their wish come true

You will help people likeGlenys*, 72, who survived 5 years without any heating or hot water. Her new heating plate, paid from donations to Friends of the Elderly, has transformed her life:

“I used to curl up on the sofa with two duvets; one under and one on top. I even used an eye mask to cover my nose to keep it warm. I’m so grateful, you have no idea. I was too embarrassed to invite my friends over but now I might start inviting people over!”

There is just one thing we need… YOU

We want to raise £3,000 (or more!) on crowdfunder.co.uk to help as many vulnerable older people as possible this winter.

Here are a few examples of the recent requests we have received and how your donation could be spent:

£50: A microwave to have a warm meal

£100: New coat and slippers OR bedding and duvet set

£300: Carpets to keep a home warm and insulated OR damp proofing

£500: Heat two homes for winter by contributing to essential utility bills

£1000: Three new cookers to help prepare warm nourishing meals

Remember, The ACT Foundation will double the amount we receive on Crowdfunder. This means if we reach our target on here we will have £6000 to give away in grants!

With your support, and that of The ACT Foundation, we will have the vital funds needed to reach many more people who have nowhere else to turn.

What more can I do?

If you know someone in need of a grant please tell them about our grant service as we want to help. You can find out more about our grants service and download the application form by visiting our website here.

Thank you for supporting older people in need this winter. We promise to post updates to let you know the difference your donations made to the older people we will help.